How to Change the Default Folder Icon In Windows 7?

Changing the icons of individual folders in Windows 7 is fairly time consuming and complicated. Changing the default icon for all folders, including new ones, is a little more complicated. If you're getting bored with the standard yellow Windows 7 folder icon, then you can change it using the registry editor. This article guide you how to change the folder icon.

1. Press Win+R shortcut to lunch Run dialog box.

2. Type Regedit in the Run dialog box and press enter.

3. Navigate to:  

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Explorer

4. Right-click on the "Explorer" folder and click "New" followed by "Key". Enter the name for the new key as "Shell Icons" and then press Enter.

5. Now select Shell Icons and in the right side pane, right-click, select "New" and create a new string value.  Then type the name for the string value as "3" without any quote.

6. Right-click on this new string value and click "Modify".

7.  Enter the full folder and file path of the icon, including the file extension. For example: "F:\wallpaper\Folder icon\image.ico" and click "OK" to continue. Note: Use image with .ico extension (Folder Icon). 

Click here to download Folder icon.

8. Close the registry editor. You'll need to restart or Logoff the computer to apply the changes.

9. If you want to restore the default folder icon, you simply need to return to the registry editor and delete the "3" string value that you created.